boy girl baby names

A name is for life: the top naming tips

While some of us have a baby name chosen well before the baby is even a ‘twinkle in the eye’, for most of us, it involves short lists, discussions and even arguments. Here’s a guide to help you make this important part of having a baby, a happy experience…

boy girl baby names

 

Planning – don’t rush it

Few people are at their best when they find themselves under pressure. Allow yourself enough time to look at the name’s various implications, to test name ideas on others and for the name to grow on you. If, after a couple of weeks the name’s appeal begins to wane, it was perhaps not the best choice after all.

Personal preference

Discover the kinds of names you like by making a list of names you like the sound of. These names should not belong to anyone you know, be linked with any pre‐conception or bias.  Look at the list and see if there are any similar patterns such as sounds, length, rhythm or types of names. This will help you to understand more about what kind of name appeals to you.

Context and popularity

It’s worth finding out how the chosen name fits into both present and past naming cultures. By chance you may have chosen the current most popular name, which means that when your child joins school he or she may end up sharing it with half a dozen others.  Be prepared for the child to be known by his or her surname throughout education.

Future thinking

A name should be for all ages and not just for childhood. Imagine a wide range of contexts, situations and events, to make sure that the name has the flexibility to be both formal and familiar. It should work well in both the social and in the workplace settings. Try to picture the name being announced as the winner of the Nobel peace prize and also in an everyday context, such as calling the name across a crowded room or in a public place. If you find yourself cringing in any scenario, then it’s probably best to have a re‐think.

Celebrity

Names linked to present celebrities may go out of favour as soon as the celebrity does.  It also tends to date the name, forever connecting it to a particular person or a period in time.  If the celebrity has a larger than life personality, it could overshadow your child’s sense of individuality. Choose a name that you genuinely like, not just because it happens to be linked to someone famous.

Not about you

With the limitless options that naming offers, it’s quite easy to get carried away by it all. Rather than seeing the naming process as an opportunity to show off your creativity, try and pick the name in the same way as you would choose a loving gift: something that the recipient will find useful and value forever. Viewing it as a responsibility with lifelong implications on the future of your child will help to keep things objective.

Put it to the test

To make sure that you get a well‐rounded perspective on the chosen name, check with the following:

  • Friends

    By writing out the name and ask friends to pronounce it, you will have an idea of how easy or difficult it is to get right. Find out if they had trouble understanding the name and how it sounds.

  • Children

    Ask a group of children what they think of your chosen name, as they are likely to spot any potential nicknames that may not be apparent to adults.

  • Worldwide

    Enter the chosen name and all its possible variants into an internet search engine and see what people, businesses and associations come up. This is also a useful way to check on the most common spelling of the name.

  • Public

    Enter a forum, such as Confetti Baby, and ask others to give their opinion on the name you’ve chosen or have a poll on a selection of three to five names.

  • Yourself

    Write the name and all its variations and post it in places where you have to see it everyday and see how you feel about it after a while.

Sharing & compromise

While you may not be able to please everyone, involving those that are close to you in this joyful task will make them feel included in the process. Taking note of the opinion of your partner, friends and close relatives, creates bonding that will enrich the child’s life in the future. In case your partner feels strongly about a particular name, allow room for negotiation. Perhaps the middle name or a nickname can be a used to create a happy compromise.

Don’t stress yourself

Lastly, it’s important to remember that no matter what name you choose there’s more than a fifty percent chance that your child will hate it at some point. A dignified traditional name may be seen as boring, while a ‘creative’ colourful name may lead to incorrect pronunciation and misspelling. A name that seemed to have only positive association may suddenly appear as a character that is a buffoon or a villain on a popular sit‐com. A nickname might turn into a slang word with a really unfavourable meaning by the time they’re in their teens.  Like every other well‐meaning parent, you can only do what you think is right and hope for the best…

Download the free wedding planning app

Plan your dream wedding with Wedx, the free wedding planning app that makes organising your big day a breeze. With a countdown clock and intuitive planning tools, you'll stay on top of every detail. Discover amazing suppliers, explore their services, and view stunning photos and videos, all in one place. Wedx helps you connect with the perfect professionals to bring your wedding vision to life.

Free App Right Arrow
Wedx Icon

Claim your free wedding magazine

Claim your free copy of Confetti Magazine, one of the UK's premier wedding publications. Inside its beautifully curated pages, you'll find expert tips, checklists, and inspiring real-life stories to spark your imagination and plan your dream day with confidence, ensuring your wedding is just the way you envision it, down to the last detail.

Free Magazine Right Arrow
Confetti Magazine

Find Wedding Ideas, Inspiration, Venues and Services